Mum's horror as son, 5, mauled by dog and dragged across road as he played

23 October 2023 , 17:27

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Kaiden Burn was dashed to hospital after he was attacked by a dog (Image: Handout)

A mum has shared her heartbreak after her five-year-old son was mauled by an out-of-control dog.

Kaiden Burn needed surgery for serious injuries after the mutt attacked him outside the family home. Neighbours had to hit and kick the dog in the head so it could release Kaiden from its jaws. Police say the dog was seized with the owner's consent.

Panicked mum Chloe Darbyshire, 22, said: "The main injury is his leg, he's been very lucky. He's had surgery, he's had his ear stitched, he's had his hand stitched, but the biggest scar will be on the back of his leg."

Chloe Darbyshire shared her concern after son's attack on Sunday (Handout)

The crazed animal pounced when Kaiden was playing outside in Ashington, Northumberland, on Sunday afternoon. Chloe heard the five-year-old's screams as the beast dragged him to the floor and shook him like a doll, Chronicle Live says. She told the publication: "I could see Kaiden getting pulled across the road by a dog. Myself and everyone else ran up the lane to him. He was playing out with his friend and his little friend managed to run before Kaiden and the dog has got hold of his leg and pulled him to the floor and pulled him across the road.

"Even when we got the dog off and got him up it was coming back for him. The whole street pulled together. There was lots of us but the dog was just determined to get at Kaiden. He's been so brave. It's not something he's going to come back from lightly. He's the most polite, energetic, loving boy you will ever meet. I'm just grateful that it hasn't been worse. I'm so pleased I had people there to help us."

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Paramedics dashed to the scene after one hour, during which time the youngster "was shaking" and became traumatised. His mum added: "We had the ambulance on the phone the whole time telling us what to do. Kaiden wouldn't let us look at his injuries. but when we got him comfy we realised how serious it was.

"He was screaming and he looked run down, like he had been trying to get away. He was traumatised, he was shaking. The ambulance took an hour, which was very stressful. The whole community pulled together. They got him comfy, he was shivering. His trainers were ripped off his feet. It's not something that will heal overnight. It's going to be a struggle to get over."

Northumbria Police say the dog, which is believed to be a Staffordshire bull terrier, has now been seized. A spokesman said: "Shortly before 4.30pm yesterday police received a report that a dog had injured a child in the Maple Street area of Ashington. A five-year-old boy was taken to hospital where he currently remains for treatment. His injuries are described as serious but non-life-threatening.

"Officers attended the scene where, in agreement with the owner, the dog in question was seized by police in order to protect the public. While further assessment will be carried out, officers believe the dog to be a Staffordshire bull terrier breed.

And a North East Ambulance Service spokeswoman added: "We were called to an incident on Maple Street, Ashington, yesterday shortly after 4pm. We dispatched one ambulance crew and transported the patient to RVI Hospital."

Sophie Doughty